Right to be [Un]educated
Not desirable but is obvious for sure that getting a good education is a sign of privilege. Thanks to the film Hindi Medium, everyone must be aware of the fact under the Right to Education Act (2009) private schools needs to fill their 25% of children seats from the poor and deprived section of the society. Every child above 6 years and below 14 years should get access to education.
It all starts with having great luck. Why? Because getting admission into top schools in a city via RTE quota is tough. You have to be one of that lucky child whose name gets selected in a lucky draw. She got it and dropped out of it in class 3, no it is not to help her mother or sibling care, it was because of the 700 Rs. per month for her commute is too costly. Books, Uniforms, extra-curricular activities, events, projects, assignments, competitions, and participation all of these can cost as much as 20,000 and even more per year in good private schools. The government guarantees zero tuition fees for children from BPL but extravagant is way more than the affordability of a family living in a poor household.
I have always been wondering are there children more than 25% from a poor household? There is a one-time admission process, no follow-up and no retention. It seems like the government officials think a child who entered the education pipeline will surely become a graduate. There exist a formality, you have a bunch of children present and have been passed out after completing up to the middle school but you can never spot them studying in school, and I wonder are there children more than 25% … …
He skips school on Saturday/Wednesday basically the day when the white dress is a mandate. The reason is obvious they can afford a single uniform hardly why should they spend on a white dress for being used once a week. Uneducated parents can’t provide the education contrary to other fellow students get from their parents in after school hours, and neither the family can afford the tuition. The setback of the child begins right from that first stage. We all know how important the practice is to get that perfect AtoZ.
Have you ever felt the struggle of being left behind? The children not going to school have already acquired some cool skills, and I am being left behind because of school. This kills more than the poverty itself, As far as a single child is out of formal education there is always a chance of all efforts revert. Adding to it there always comes a feeling of deprivation seeing your peer having fast food in lunch or costly pen/pencils, worse than this is when the same peer makes you realise your state of life and struggle for a mere satisfaction out of that bully. Yes, discrimination exists and even some teachers do.
Ever heard the term “cocoons populated by elites”? The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has attributed some schools with this tag. For more information, the article Explained: Why NCPCR has recommended minority schools be brought under RTE is a good source, I prefer silence on the issue.
A wheelchair philosopher like me and you have always been suggesting if these children get an education it will end up the poverty. We are expecting it from a child who was deprived of support, guidance and dignified life.
